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Italy buries football riot victim Italy buries football riot victim
(about 1 hour later)
The funeral of an Italian policeman killed during a violent riot between football fans on Friday has been taking place in the Sicilian city of Catania.The funeral of an Italian policeman killed during a violent riot between football fans on Friday has been taking place in the Sicilian city of Catania.
Thousands of people flooded the cathedral square and clapped as the flag-draped coffin was brought in.Thousands of people flooded the cathedral square and clapped as the flag-draped coffin was brought in.
The Pope condemned the post-match clashes between fans and police as a "stain on the football world."The Pope condemned the post-match clashes between fans and police as a "stain on the football world."
In Rome, the sports minister is meeting senior football and Olympic officials to discuss the future of the game.In Rome, the sports minister is meeting senior football and Olympic officials to discuss the future of the game.
Italy's interior minister who attended the funeral warned of an "extraordinary response" to unprecedented violence.Italy's interior minister who attended the funeral warned of an "extraordinary response" to unprecedented violence.
Giuliano Amato told La Repubblica newspaper: "The fans are risking the possibility of never seeing football again - of being without football forever, with stadiums empty and barred."Giuliano Amato told La Repubblica newspaper: "The fans are risking the possibility of never seeing football again - of being without football forever, with stadiums empty and barred."
The service, led by an archbishop and broadcast live on Italian television, was attended by the policeman's colleagues as well as Sports Minister Giovanna Melandri.The service, led by an archbishop and broadcast live on Italian television, was attended by the policeman's colleagues as well as Sports Minister Giovanna Melandri.
All matches - both domestic and international - were immediately suspended after the death of 38-year-old Filippo Raciti.All matches - both domestic and international - were immediately suspended after the death of 38-year-old Filippo Raciti.
'Unacceptable death''Unacceptable death'
Overnight, hundreds of people paid their respects to the policeman, visiting his coffin at the city's police station.Overnight, hundreds of people paid their respects to the policeman, visiting his coffin at the city's police station.
Although initially believed to have died when a homemade bomb was hurled into his vehicle, an autopsy revealed Mr Raciti died of injuries sustained earlier when he was hit by a blunt object.Although initially believed to have died when a homemade bomb was hurled into his vehicle, an autopsy revealed Mr Raciti died of injuries sustained earlier when he was hit by a blunt object.
In a letter written to the policeman's family, Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi said it was "unacceptable that someone should die while carrying out their duty".In a letter written to the policeman's family, Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi said it was "unacceptable that someone should die while carrying out their duty".
In Rome, Ms Melandri is due to meet senior football and Olympic officials to discuss the future of the game later on Monday afternoon.
On Sunday, the president of the Olympic committee said football clubs that did not respect increased security measures - including closed-circuit television cameras and turnstiles - would not be allowed to host matches.On Sunday, the president of the Olympic committee said football clubs that did not respect increased security measures - including closed-circuit television cameras and turnstiles - would not be allowed to host matches.
Sports authorities are mulling options including banning the public from matches at stadiums which do not meet recently introduced security criteria and forcing matches to take place behind closed doors.Sports authorities are mulling options including banning the public from matches at stadiums which do not meet recently introduced security criteria and forcing matches to take place behind closed doors.
The BBC's Christian Fraser, in Rome, says that as many stadiums are owned by local councils, rather than football clubs, few have been prepared to foot the bill for security improvements.The BBC's Christian Fraser, in Rome, says that as many stadiums are owned by local councils, rather than football clubs, few have been prepared to foot the bill for security improvements.